RURAL towns in NSW are calling for an increase in rehabilitation centres to facilitate the escalating number of crystal methamphetamine users.
Community leaders across the State candidly admit their regions have a problem, and call on local people and the State government to help tackle the growing scourge.
Moree Mayor Katrina Humphries and Coonamble Mayor Alan Karanouh both said the ice problem had been prominent in the community for a few years and had caused an increase of robberies throughout the region.
Problems have been highlighted in Brewarrina, and, in the south of the State, Griffith has identified drug and alcohol misuse as an issue and is surveying the community.
The Moree region has prevention plans to encourage people to avoid drug use and to have more self pride, Cr Humphries said.
She said the issue concerned the individual but needed to be tackled by the whole community.
"We need to deal with it together and not be afraid to say what we know," she said. Barwon Local Area Command crime manager Detective Inspector David Silversides, Moree, said illicit drug use had always been a problem throughout regional towns and police were constantly looking at ways to address it.
He said although ice use was a problem throughout the region, it wasn't necessarily worse than the misuse of other substances.
"We're not going to say it's not a problem, but it's no bigger a problem here than anywhere else in the State," he said.
Detective Inspector Silversides said drug activity definitely had a link to property offences and police needed to look at preventing both. He said police needed help from the community to tackle the issue.
"The problem is there and the community needs to engage with the police to try and assist us."
Cr Humphries said local people of all ages were using the drug, including young teenagers, due to its accessibility and addictiveness.
She said accusations younger people were turning to drugs because there was nothing to do in the town was nonsense.
"I won't wear there's nothing to do, because there's plenty of things to do, they just need to use their imagination," she said.
Without drug users in the region, Cr Humphries said there would be no drug dealers, and individuals needed to address the issue.
Cr Humphries said if individuals, especially younger people, were positive, they'd turn towards volunteer work or sporting activities rather than drug use.
"Parents need to be parents," she said.
"They don't need to entertain their children but they do need to create an environment that's conducive to self pride."
Cr Humphries also blamed a lack of rehabilitation opportunities for repeat offenders.
"There's no place for addicts to be referred to without having to send them away from our community, which isn't always ideal," Cr Humphries said.
"It's a terrible shame we don't have more rehab facilities."
Roy Thorn House, a government-run rehabilitation centre in Moree, has been closed for nearly two years, although the council was told it would only be shut for two months.
Barwon MP Kevin Humphries said he was concerned by the impact ice was having across the State and said the government was determined to do more.
"This problem is not a new one but it is one that is high on our agenda," he said.
"We have been in discussion with health professionals and police about what additional steps are needed to remove ice and other drugs from our society, and are currently considering a range of options."
Down south, the Griffith Community Drug Action Team surveyed the community about drug and alcohol misuse in the region late last year.
Griffith Councillor and action team chairman Pat Cox said the survey identified that minors were able to easily access drugs and the secondary supply of alcohol to minors needed to be addressed in the region.
The survey found there needed to be a reduction in the harm caused by alcohol and drug misuse and an increase in alcohol and drug education community-wide.
As a result of the survey's findings, the council was working on a crime prevention strategy to incorporate strategies to combat the region's drug and alcohol issues, Cr Cox said.
State action needed at Coonamble
ICE use has had a devastating affect on the township and local families in the Coonamble area, says Mayor Alan Karanouh.
The drug has been prominent in the area for the past 12 months, causing several locals to overdose.
Families associated with drug users were also being affected because it’s completely changed the people who used it, said Mr Karanouh (pictured).
The correlation of the ice epidemic and an increase of break-ins in the area was prominent.
"Absolutely and without a doubt, every single break-in is related to ice use," Mr Karanouh said.
"They're very careless now, they don't think of the consequences, they just need to get something so they can get their fix."
Mr Karanouh said drug users had targeted farms by stealing items easily resold such as tools and diesel.
"The same farmer was broken into 24 times last year," he said. "It's happened three times this year already."
Mr Karanouh said some town residents had to have broken windows fixed five or six times and were being denied insurance coverage.
He called on the State's heath department to investigate ways to improve the situation.
"The State government has to pick up their game and tackle the issue, hard."
The extensive waiting lists for rehabs in the Central West are part of the problem, according to Mr Karanouh, who said there was only one relatively close to the area which was always full.
"The people who want to go can't get in," he said.
Mental Health Minister Jai Rowell said ice addiction was a serious issue and the NSW government was taking very seriously.
"Like anyone, I am deeply concerned at the terrible impact ice has and we are determined to do more," he said.
Drugs in the forum spotlight
IT'S time to talk about the impact on regional towns and rural areas of the spreading methamphetamine or ice epidemic.
No longer a hidden problem in NSW, the drug is cause for concern in many places across the State.
To help meet the needs of readers affected by such a social disease, next week's Friday Forum will discuss the impact of alcohol and other drugs on communities.
The good news is there are things you can do about it if you or a family member or friend have fallen victim to the drug's grasp.
You may have been affected in other ways, such as being a victim of theft or violence.
An expert panel will be on hand to offer helpful advice and tips to deal with the issues that arise from drug and alcohol abuse, such as the emotional, physical and monetary toll on loved ones.
Learn coping mechanisms and ways to reach out.
Join the Friday Forum, online from the new time of noon to 1pm on Friday, March 6, to find out ways you and your family can address the issue.
The Friday Forum is a joint initiative of The Land and the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program.
You can ask questions on the day or submit your questions ahead of time.